Old Stones and Lot Villages Dordogne France Located in the heart of France's southwest between Auvergne and Périgord, the Lot is surrounded by the Massif Central mountains to the east and the plains of the Garonne to the west and south.   Also known as the ancient province of Quercy, the Lot is a land full of wonderful surprises including steep villages with brown tiles, wilderness of the Causse and opulence of its rivers (Lot and Dordogne). On this ride, you will get the chance to discover Rocamadour (the sacred city), the Saint-Sauveur basilica and the Saint-Amadour crypt, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Other highlights include the local wines and gastronomy as well as wonderful horses! Progressive Ride (no camping) Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Puy L'eveque Airport: Bordeaux Airport Transfer: Monsempron-Libos train station Riders: Min 5 riders Max 10 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Rates Note:

Single supplement will be applied if we cannot find another rider to share.

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is possible from Monsempron-Libos train station for an extra fee. Pick-up is scheduled for 6:30pm on Day 1. On the last day, you will leave the hotel after breakfast, and be dropped off at the train station around 9:00 am.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

The itinerary may be modified at any time for security reasons, meteorological or other events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes, and local holidays. We will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.

Important note: The specific level required is the "confirmed rider level".
As a qualified professional of equestrian tourism in France, it is important for the safety of the groups of riders we receive that everyone has the required riding level (see description below).
A person, who doesn't have the required level, causes difficulties for the staff and other participants, with consequences on the good progress of the stay for everyone.
Therefore, if from the first day we judge that a rider doesn't have the required level for horseback riding, he/she will not continue on horseback. He/she will be able to continue with the logistic team. This decision will be made without any refund on the stay.

Our rides are for the experienced rider who has mastered all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter/gallop in a forward seat) on varied terrains and in open spaces. The experienced rider rides regularly, has good physical fitness, has good soft hands, a good attitude, and self-confidence. He controls the speed and direction of the horse in all circumstances. He can ride long distances including gallops of several minutes in open terrain.


Day 1: Arrival
Riders with vehicles may arrive in the late afternoon to the first night accommodation. Riders arriving by train will be collected in the late afternoon at the SNCF train station of Monsempron-Libos.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Puy l’évêque

Day 2: Ride to Cazals
After breakfast, riders are introduced to their horses. We will begin our trek around 10am, making our way to Frayssinnet-le-Gelat Lake, where we stop for lunch. Our afternoon ride brings us to Cazals, an ancient fortified village founded in 1319 by the Seneschal of the King of England: Guillaume de Toulouse or Tolza. This village is characterized by a vast central courtyard around which many houses were built to accommodate the clientele of the numerous friars and the teams driving animals with their drivers. The bastide, or fortified village, was largely destroyed in 1588 when the Marshall of Biron, the Seneschal of Quercy, shot down the village walls.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Marminiac

Day 3: Cazals to Le Vigan
In the morning we resume our trek on the road to Le Vigan, near the confluence of the Bleou and Seguy rivers, right in the heart of Haute Bouriane. Our picnic is waiting for us at the foot of the ruins of L'Abbaye Nouvelle, a Cistercian abbey. Our afternoon trail takes us to Le Vigan, originally called Carbonnac until the 11th century. The ending “ac” dates this settlement back to the days of the Celts or at least to the Gallo-
Romans. In this village we discover a magnificent and impressive church abbey from the 13-14th centuries.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Le Vigan

Day 4: Le Vigan to
After breakfast, we continue our ride towards the Cougnaguet Mill, which was strengthened by Cougnaguet in the 13th century. We will have our picnic break here. The construction of the mill was conducted by Cistercian monks and lasted for 50 years. We journey on after lunch to travel through limestone plateaus, crops, and oak forests.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Rocamadour

Day 5: Rocamadour
Today, we ride to Rocamadour, a small but exceptional village. In the heart of the Parc Naturel Regional des Causses du Quercy, the medieval city of Rocamadour challenges the laws of gravity. Towers, houses, and dungeons cling to the limestone cliffs composing a haughty picture of Christendom. We enjoy our picnic at our guesthouse which leaves us the afternoon to explore the village.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Rocamadour

Day 6: Rocamadour to Souloumes
Today we leave Rocamadour behind as we climb the heights to Carlucet, where our picnic lunch awaits. We then take the trail to Labastide Murat. This ancient fortified village is situated on the limestone plateau of Gramat. We overnight in Souloumes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a B&B in Soulomes

Day 7: Souloumes to Saint Denis Catus
After breakfast, we follow the valley of le Vers to arrive at the mill of Maquefave where we will have our picnic lunch. We conclude our ride in the village of Saint Denis Catus.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Puy l’évêque

Day 8: Departure
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, riders may depart by car or will be transferred to the train station.
Meals included: Breakfast

                                            Rocamadour area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	47	51	57	62	60	76	81	80	74	5	54	49
Average Low Temperature (°F)	35	35	39	42	48	54	57	57	52	48	40	36
Average High Temperature (°C)	9	11	14	17	21	24	27	27	24	19	12	9
Average Low Temperature (°C)	1	2	4	6	9	12	14	14	11	9	4	2
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	11	9	10	10	11	8	6	7	7	9	10	10

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The Lot benefits from ideal weather for year-round riding as climate is usually dry and temperate. The average rainfall for the Dordogne Valley is about 140-160 mm per year. 

Spring
Spring is quite an unstable season often characterized by a succession of rainy and sunny episodes during the same day. Temperatures are usually mild in March and April, getting warmer towards May. However, some cold snaps can be observed.

Summer
Summertime is usually hot, recording, at times, temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. However, it rarely stays very hot for too long. July tends to register slightly higher temperatures than August.
Chances of rainfall are quite low, but summer storms can happen. At times, it can get a little windy, which helps cool down the summer heat.

Autumn
Autumn is a nice time to visit with wonderful colors, comfortable temperatures and low chances of rainfall.

Winter
Winters tend to get cold but are often quite sunny! It very rarely rains for a long period of time here.

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Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights are spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodation is in B&B or hotels. Double or Twin room, possibility of single but with supplement.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Day 1:  Hotel in Puy l’évêque
Day 2:  B&B in Marminiac
Day 3:  B&B in Le Vigan
Day 4:  B&B in Rocamadour
Day 5:  B&B in Rocamadour
Day 6:  B&B in Souloumes
Day 7:  Hotel in Puy l’évêque


Room Occupancy
We try our best to match you with a roommate, but if this is not possible you may be placed in single room with a supplement to be paid.



Meals
All meals are included.

Continental breakfasts served at your accommodation.
The lunches are buffets with a wide choice (adapted to particular diets) with wine.
Dinner in the bed and breakfast, restaurant or hotel (wine not included for dinner, and other extras).

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Trail saddles custom-made for each horse and "Myler" bridle
Horses:		Arabian, Paint horses, and Arabian/Paint crossbreds.
Pace:		We ride moderate to fast paced 5-6 hours in the saddle per riding day | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3.5 to 4 out of 5)    Strong Intermediate
Age:		Min 13
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 5 riders	Max 10 riders

Riding Ability
This ride is open to riders who are comfortable and in control at all 4 paces (walk, rising trot, canter and gallop in a forward seat) on varied terrain, in open spaces and practice a regular habit of riding. There are certain sections of the trail where we need to lead the horses. It is recommended that you be in good physical condition in order to participate. Previous experience of trail rides over a number of days would be beneficial but is not required.

Pace
The pace is varied depending on the terrain, with long periods of walk and plenty of opportunities to canter and gallop.

Horses
Most of our horses were born on the farm. They live in herds in a 70 acre field and this is what makes them strong. This social lifestyle is very close to their ideal living conditions, which is a natural environment.
Every horse has its own character, but all are gentle, balanced, and multi-talented.
The horses are a mixture of purebred Arabian and Paint horses as well as Arabian/Paint crossbreds and Thoroughbreds.
The relationship with the riders and our horses is crucial. Above all, we place attention on the welfare and education of our horses.

Tack
Our saddles are a French trail saddle (JMS brands), which blend the best of English and western styles to make the perfect trail saddle. Horses will work in bridles with Myler bits. Helmets are not mandatory but are strongly recommended.
Our team will take care of tacking up the horses during this ride.

Logistics
There is a support van for the transport of luggage and riders. It is possible for a rider or a non-riding companion to follow along the horse riders in the van.
We ask the riders to have only one suitcase (size 69x47x27) and one handbag.

Group Size & Staff
Riding groups have a minimum of 5 and maximum of 10 riders, plus the Guide and the Translator.
David (GTE/ BPJEPS TE) is a certified Equestrian Tour Guide. He creates the routes and leads all the riding tours. He is also a trainer of apprentice instructors in Equestrian Tourism.
Britta is your riding companion and translator (English, Dutch, German, and Spanish). She is always available to facilitate any language concerns.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passport Note

France is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;

(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	No

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.